There are alarming issues coming from many countries around the world today. If we reflect properly many of these issues are connected to a wrong understanding or use of politics and religions to protect vested interests. The Philippines is not spared by the “abuse” of politics and religions for personal or group vested interest. Mindanao is one of the most clear examples especially in some sensitive areas where politics and religions are used to justify historical events even if the history is not any more the priority of some political groups and powerful leaders.
The challenge of Silsilah today is how we can promote dialogue and peace from a platform of interfaith dialogue and how to convince all that we cannot use the “interfaith dialogue” to make decisions that are not according to conscience, or else we have to be ashamed to claim that we belong to a certain religion.
It is time to remind all that “Interfaith dialogue” is not a political way to make alliances or strategic plans to win over the other. It is not even an entry point to be part of a certain political arena or political colour for vested interest. Interfaith dialogue is more than an external affiliation. It is basically an attitude and a style of life that challenges us according to the principles of our faith open to others. If not, we cannot claim that we are moving guided by the interfaith dialogue spirit, although some occasions the negative attitude of others to be open to a real interfaith dialogue is a new challenge for those who really believe in the spirit of dialogue to do “an extra mile”, to reach out those who are not yet open to dialogue.
The conscience is the most sacred part of each human being. It is also the source of our spirituality that helps us to listen the voice of God in us. For this reason we find some principles of goodness in the variety of religions like compassion, solidarity, peace, harmony, etc. We are convinced that Christianity and Islam have good entry points to remind all, especially in the Philippines in this time of alarming political realities to be vigilant and to move guided by a sincere conscience.
In the coming plebiscite in some areas of Mindanao people are called to vote to express their yes or no to the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and soon also all in the Philippines will be called to vote for the national election.
Silsilah does not promote any political affiliation but we wish to remind to all to vote according conscience and not because of money or other consideration against the voice of the conscience. This is the hardest time of any society. We hope that the “interfaith” or “interreligious” mission that many claim to follow and promote reminds them of the basic principles of their own faith. A faith based on goodness and compassion and not on divisions and conflicts.
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In this connection, we invite all to go back to the teachings of each own faith, guided by the voice of the conscience and the pure spirit of our faith. Among the many inspiring quotations we propose here for the Christians the message of Pope Francis in his recent Exhortation “Gaudate et Exsultate” (Rejoice and be Glad). He reminds us the Beatitudes of Jesus and among these Beatitudes, this one: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Holy Bible – Mt. 5, 8). Pope Francis, commending this Beatitude, adds: “This Beatitude speaks of those whose hearts are simple, pure and undefiled, for a heart capable of love admits nothing harms, weakens or endangers that love…. The Holy Bible says: “Man sees the appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Sam. 16, 7).
From the Holy Qur’an we recall: “… and the servant of Allah, the Most Gracious, are those who work on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say: peace!” (Surah 25,63)
We have to dream together a society where the faith we have and the religion we profess will be an inspiration of goodness and not a reason to act with violence and arrogance. Unfortunately, for some people and especially in some areas, religion is still a reason to divide. Some also pressured by fear or vested interest are “pushed” to the point to change their religion.
Indeed, believing and acting in the spirit of the “interfaith dialogue” is a responsibility and a commitment. In some areas it is also dangerous because of the presence of those who take the freedom to use violence justifying their conscience. We have the responsibility to internalize the real voice of the conscience and to say no to any compromise that is against the voice of the conscience.